McGregor to return vs. Chandler on June 29 at middleweight

Conor McGregor's return is official.

McGregor announced Sunday that he'll fight Michael Chandler on the UFC's International Fight Week pay-per-view card on June 29 in Las Vegas.

The Irishman said the bout will take place at 185 pounds.

McGregor's fight date comes a day early after he teased Saturday that he'd announce his return on New Year's Day.

The UFC hasn't confirmed McGregor's return nor the date for International Fight Week, which usually occurs during the first or second week of July.

The former two-division champion pushed to headline UFC 300 but ultimately agreed on a summer return during a recent meeting with the promotion, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

McGregor was supposed to fight Chandler in 2023 after the pair coached against each other on the last season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

However, the matchup was never finalized, and McGregor's ability to fight was in question since he didn't re-enter the United States Anti-Doping Agency drug-testing pool.

The UFC's relationship with USADA is now over following a public clash over McGregor's status. The promotion's move to partner with Drug Free Sport International became official Sunday.

While McGregor's opponent isn't a surprise, the fight taking place at middleweight is.

McGregor has fought twice at welterweight in his career, but his last two bouts - both losses to Dustin Poirier - have taken place at his most natural weight class of 155 pounds. McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg in July 2021 in a trilogy fight with Poirier.

Chandler - who has almost exclusively fought at lightweight throughout his career - has opted to stay on the sidelines while waiting for McGregor's return, last stepping inside the Octagon in a loss to Poirier in November 2022.